The race for the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament title became even more unpredictable after the leading wrestlers suffered losses on a topsy-turvy Day 7 on Saturday in Fukuoka.
Komusubi Takakeisho, who entered the day as a sole unbeaten wrestler, lost to sekiwake Mitakeumi, while ozeki Takayasu fell to No. 3 maegashira Ryu-den for his second loss of the basho.
In a battle between next-generation wrestlers, Mitakeumi, winner of the Nagoya tournament in July, had forced Takakeisho to the edge when the komusubi stepped aside and tried to shove him past. But the off-balanced sekiwake managed to stop short of going out, and reversed field to return to the fray. The two exchanged more thrusts in the middle of the ring before Mitakeumi pulled Takakeisho down.
Takakeisho dropped to 6-1 and into a share of the tournament lead with No. 9 maegashira Daieisho and No. 13 maegashira Onosho.
Takayasu (5-2) allowed Ryuden to get into a favorable position with a belt hold and his head firmly placed against the ozeki's chest. During an extended stalemate, the ozeki endured Ryuden's pushes several times, but in the end got forced out of the ring.
Fellow ozeki Tochinoshin dropped further behind in the title race, suffering his fourth loss after No. 4 maegashira Yoshikaze bulled him over.
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